A couple were charged in court yesterday with cheating six victims of over $650,000.

Ong Choon Lin, 66, a Singaporean, and his wife, Ng Kim Yew, 60, a Malaysian who is a Singapore permanent resident, are facing 29 similar counts of cheating. The offences were allegedly committed between 2004 and last year.

Court papers said that the couple allegedly promised their victims talismans, which would be specially dedicated to them from a spiritual master in Thailand.

The talismans came in several forms such as an "international" talisman, a "business" talisman, and a "wealth" talisman, among others.

One victim allegedly parted with $308,688 and was said to have handed over as much as $38,880 each time on several occasions.

The other victims were allegedly cheated of amounts of between $10,580 and $37,600.